Budget travel in the U.S. has always come with trade-offs: low fares, yes, but often with unpredictable reliability, stripped-down service, and fees on top of fees. In that arena, Avelo Airlines is one of the newest names, and I’ve personally flown with them multiple times across the U.S. since they launched in 2021.
Many travelers ask me: Is Avelo Airlines truly affordable, or just another low-cost carrier with hidden costs and headaches? In this review, I’ll break down every aspect, from pricing and baggage to route maps, safety, and reliability, so you can decide whether Avelo is a smart choice for your next trip.
What Is Avelo Airlines?
Avelo Airlines is a U.S.-based ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) that launched commercial service in April 2021. Founded by Andrew Levy, former CFO of United Airlines and co-founder of Allegiant, Avelo is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with a business model focused on low fares, unserved airports, and point-to-point travel.
Avelo is privately owned and operates under a straightforward mission: make flying more accessible by avoiding congested airports and keeping base fares as low as possible.
Unlike legacy carriers, Avelo does not participate in airline alliances or codeshare agreements. It flies a single aircraft type, the Boeing 737-700 and 737-800, which simplifies maintenance and keeps costs down.
Where Does Avelo Airlines Fly?
Avelo operates from three main bases:
- Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), California
- Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN), Connecticut
- Wilmington Airport (ILG), Delaware
As of 2025, Avelo serves 45+ destinations, mostly small-to-medium cities that lack major airline competition.
Avelo’s Route Highlights (As of Q2 2025):
| Region | Destinations Include |
| West Coast | Santa Rosa, Eugene, Boise, Las Vegas |
| East Coast | Raleigh-Durham, Charleston, Savannah |
| Gulf/South | Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Mobile |
| Midwest | Kalamazoo, Dubuque, Dayton |
The airline continuously evaluates route profitability, so destinations can change quarterly.
Avelo does not operate international routes and is focused solely on domestic U.S. travel.
How Affordable Are Avelo Airlines Flights?
From my experience, and verified through fare aggregators like Google Flights and Hopper, Avelo offers some of the lowest base fares in the country, especially on routes underserved by legacy airlines.
Typical one-way base fares range from $29 to $69, although flash sales can drop fares to as low as $19. For example:
- New Haven to Orlando: $34 (base fare)
- Burbank to Boise: $39 (base fare)
- Wilmington to Tampa: $44 (base fare)
These prices often undercut competitors like Spirit and Frontier by 10–25%, but come with significant caveats on add-ons.
What’s Included in Avelo’s Ticket Price?
Here’s where expectations must be managed: Avelo’s base fare includes only a guaranteed seat and a personal item.
Add-on Pricing (Verified May 2025):
| Service | Cost (One-Way) |
| Carry-on Bag | $40 |
| Checked Bag | $45 |
| Seat Selection | $11–$35 |
| Priority Boarding | $15 |
| Onboard Food/Drink | Not available |
Seat selection is optional; if you skip it, you’ll be randomly assigned a seat. There’s no complimentary snack or drink service onboard.
If you’re traveling light and flexible on seating, it’s still possible to fly for under $50 all-in. But most travelers will end up spending 30–60% more than the advertised fare.
What’s the Baggage Policy on Avelo Airlines?
Baggage is one of the main revenue drivers for Avelo, and the rules are strict.
Personal Item:
- Included in base fare
- Must fit under the seat (14” x 9” x 9.5”)
Carry-on Bag:
- Costs $40–$45 each way
- Must fit in overhead bin (22” x 14” x 9”)
Checked Bag:
- First bag: $45
- Second bag: $50
- Overweight fee (51–70 lbs): $100
You cannot pool baggage allowances across passengers, and fees are higher if paid at the airport.
How Comfortable Is the In-Flight Experience?
Avelo’s aircraft are refurbished Boeing 737-700s and 737-800s, with an all-economy layout.
Key Details:
- Seat Pitch: 29–31 inches (industry standard)
- Seat Width: ~17 inches
- Recline: Limited, non-adjustable on some aircraft
- No Wi-Fi or in-flight entertainment
- No power outlets
The cabins are clean but minimal. Seats are slimline, lightly padded, and basic. As someone over 6 feet tall, I found legroom tight but manageable for flights under 2.5 hours.
What Do Customers Say About Avelo Airlines?
Avelo’s online reviews are mixed, leaning slightly positive overall. Based on Trustpilot, TripAdvisor, and Google reviews (cross-verified), here’s a high-level breakdown:
Common Positives:
- Low fares and good value
- Easy boarding at small airports
- Friendly crew
Common Complaints:
- Extra fees add up quickly
- Flight cancellations with limited rebooking options
- No refunds or flexibility
Sample Ratings:
| Platform | Rating (as of May 2025) |
| Trustpilot | 3.6/5 |
| TripAdvisor | 4.0/5 |
| Google Reviews | 3.7/5 |
In my own flights, I’ve encountered mostly pleasant staff and on-time departures. But Avelo lacks robust customer support when issues arise, and that’s a recurring pain point in reviews.
Is Avelo Airlines Reliable for On-Time Travel?
According to the U.S. DOT’s Air Travel Consumer Report, Avelo had a 79.5% on-time performance rate in Q1 2025, comparable to other ULCCs like Spirit (76.2%) and Frontier (75.4%).
However, Avelo operates a small fleet (16 aircraft as of May 2025), so when a mechanical issue occurs, there’s limited backup. This leads to occasional long delays or cancellations.
On routes with once-daily service, a canceled flight often means rescheduling for the next day or longer. Always build buffer time into your itinerary.
How Safe Is Avelo Airlines?
Avelo operates under full FAA Part 121 certification, the same standard applied to major U.S. carriers.
Aircraft Safety:
- Fleet: Boeing 737-700 and 737-800
- Average fleet age: 15.6 years (older, but well-maintained)
- Maintenance partner: AAR Corp (FAA-certified MRO)
There have been no reported safety incidents, accidents, or NTSB investigations since Avelo’s launch.
Pilots are unionized under the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and must meet the same 1,500-hour minimum as pilots at Delta or United.
How Does Avelo Compare to Other Budget Airlines?
Here’s a feature-by-feature comparison of Avelo against its closest competitors:
| Feature | Avelo | Spirit | Frontier | Allegiant |
| Avg Base Fare | $29–$69 | $39–$89 | $39–$79 | $39–$89 |
| Seat Pitch | 29–31” | 28–30” | 28–31” | 30” |
| Wi-Fi | No | Paid | No | No |
| Free Personal Item | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Route Network | Small | Large | Large | Medium |
| Loyalty Program | No | Yes (Free Spirit) | Yes (FRONTIER Miles) | Yes (myAllegiant) |
Avelo wins on simplicity and value on niche routes, but it lacks the broader coverage and onboard perks of other ULCCs.
Who Should Fly with Avelo Airlines?
Avelo is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious travelers with flexible plans
- People near secondary airports (e.g. Burbank, New Haven)
- Solo or light travelers without much luggage
Avoid Avelo if:
- You need flexible change/cancel policies
- You’re traveling with kids or bulky items
- You’re planning tight layovers or same-day events
How to Book the Cheapest Avelo Flight?
I recommend booking directly via Avelo’s website at least 3 weeks in advance for the lowest fare.
Booking Tips:
- Avoid third-party OTAs (fees may be higher)
- Sign up for promo emails, flash deals often offer $19–$29 fares
- Fly mid-week (Tues/Wed) for best pricing
- Pay for bags online during booking, airport prices are higher
There are no bundles or loyalty discounts, so optimization comes down to timing and bag strategy.
Is Avelo Airlines Worth It for U.S. Travel?
Yes, with the right expectations. Avelo delivers genuine value on underserved routes, particularly if you travel light and avoid add-ons. I wouldn’t recommend it for every trip, but for short domestic flights under 3 hours, it’s a practical and affordable choice.
From my own use and analysis, I give Avelo Airlines a 3.8 out of 5, low cost, high value, with some limitations on flexibility and coverage.
FAQs About Avelo Airlines
Can I cancel or change Avelo flights?
Only if you purchase “Trip Flex” at booking. Otherwise, no refunds or free changes are allowed.
Does Avelo have a loyalty program?
No, Avelo currently offers no frequent flyer program or reward system.
Are pets allowed onboard Avelo flights?
Yes, small pets in carriers are allowed in-cabin for a $125 fee.
Is Avelo expanding in 2025?
Yes, Avelo plans to add 6 new routes and 3 aircraft by Q4 2025, focusing on East Coast expansion.